Marcus Delacroix's wife died in March 2024. He did not remarry during the year, and he has no dependants. He paid all the costs of keeping up his home for the full year. Which filing status may Marcus use for the 2024 tax return?
- AQualifying surviving spouse, because his wife died during the tax year.
- BHead of household, because he maintained the home on his own for the full year.
- CMarried filing jointly, because he is treated as married for the entire year his spouse died. Correct
- DSingle, because he was widowed before the end of the tax year.
Why A is wrong: Qualifying surviving spouse applies only to the two years AFTER the year of death and requires a dependent child, so it is unavailable both for the year of death and because Marcus has no dependants.
Why B is wrong: Head of household requires being unmarried or considered unmarried and a qualifying person in the home; Marcus is treated as married for the year and has no qualifying person, so this status does not apply.
Why C is correct: A taxpayer whose spouse dies during the year and who has not remarried by year end is considered married for that whole year and may file a joint return for the year of death.
Why D is wrong: Marital status for a decedent's final year keeps the surviving spouse as married for that year, so single is not the correct status for the year of death.